1870 – Rifle marked "LEOPOLD BERNARD CANNONIER A PARIS" and dated 1870.

By 1962 – In the collection of Robert F. Wolfskill; featured in Shooting Times, March 1962, "A French Henry Rifle."

1992 – Featured by C.W. Slagle in The Winchester Repeater (Fall 1992).

1992 – Illustrated in R.L. Wilson's Winchester: An American Legend, pp. 16–17.

May 20, 1998 – Sold in Little John's Firearms Auction, Lot 776.

March 2003 – Sold in James D. Julia Auction, Lot 884.

February 2026- Gifted to me from the Ladd Hellenbrand estate

I'm particularly interested in learning more about Robert F. Wolfskill, who owned the rifle by 1962 and wrote the Shooting Times article. If anyone knew Mr. Wolfskill, has information about his collection, remembers this rifle from the Slagle era, or has encountered additional references to it in collector literature, I would be very grateful to hear from you.

I'm also curious whether anyone has ever seen another example of a Bernard-marked repeating rifle, or has any insight into how this rifle may have made its way from France to the United States.

Bo Rich said
Bert,  Read. your article on the Model 1897 last night.  Very nicely done.  Interestingly at the last OGCA/ WACA last September.  I saw a engraved 20 gauge Model 1897.  It was in a fancy case, and had a big price on it.  The person who owned it said that it was the only Model 1897 made in 20 gauge.  
  

I have seen that gun listed for sale several times in the past years... it is a 100% Fake. The last time I encountered it was in the Ward's Auction in Oregon.

Ward's August 2019 auction description:
EXTREMELY RARE GOLD INLAID & ENGRAVED Winchester Model 1897 BLACK DIAMOND TRAP, 20 ga. Cal., MFG. 1909, SN: 440708, 2-3/4?, 28'' (marked FULL) solid rib 2 bead barrel, Pump Action Shotgun. As far as is known, no production 20 ga. Model 1897s ever left the Winchester factory as there are no records of such. However, it has been said there were several special working prototypes produced. This interesting & possibly unique custom 20 ga. shotgun has the usual Winchester markings on right side. Left side is marked ''MODEL 1897 -WINCHESTER- 20 GA. FULL over -TRADEMARK-''. The operating slide is marked ''MODEL 1897 -WINCHESTER-''. The bolt is engraved ''TRAP GUN''. Action is blued & engraved with large scroll & shaded backgrounds in style closely corresponding to number 6-12 pattern. With six large figures in gold of dogs & quail inlaid on both left & right receiver panels. There is also gold vine inlay at edges of action. The rarity of the gun is featured & discussed with pictures on page 66 of the book ''Winchester Shotguns'' by Dennis Adler, forwarded by R.L. Wilson. In it they indicate the panel scenes are reminiscent of early sketches by Conrad F. Urich & John Ulrich. The beautiful flame figured American walnut, straight grip buttstock features hand checkering & inlaid black diamonds on both sides of grip. The small style forend has matching high grade wood & checkering. Buttstock measures 13-3/4? over composition Winchester buttplate. Both metal & wood retain nearly all of their finishes, with slight rub marks on magazine tube from normal operation. Bore is excellent, bright & shiny. Overall condition is minty. Esthetically gorgeous & exceptionally rare as a 20 ga. 1897.* FFL or C&R Req. - Value: 7500 to 15000

Bert

I'm in agreement here on the many comments on this Model. I also enjoy Bert's work, and look forward to digging in on this article. Being a little busy as of late, I received my copy earlier in the week, and only recently glazed through it, and can't wait to get into the meat and potatoes on his recent article, which I know that I will enjoy.

Tony

Mike

Henry Mero said
Bert,I am not much in to shotguns, they do come along once in a while, but I gotta say thanks for Your contribution/study on the 1897, very informative. I am now a little more knowledge able on them. Thanks again Bert for Your efforts.
  

As always, thanks for the positive feed back

Scatterguns (shotguns) were the actual mainstay gun for the majority of the people who settled the west and the North American continent. Nothing was more intimidating than a shotgun loaded with buckshot! 

For many years (decades), the Winchester Model 1897 was the primary gun that every small-town Sheriff or Police Department had in their gun racks, banks guards had them handy, railway companies, security companies, stage coaches and Express companies, saloon keepers... etc.   It was inevitable that it would be selected to serve with our Military forces around the globe in two World Wars and several other major military conflicts.

Bert

Brodg88 said
Chuck,
I was formally gifted this rifle, so I'm trying to figure out what it is and what to do with it!
I'm enjoying the history sleuthing project.
UPDATE:
I have ordered 2 magazines, the Wilson Book, and the Little John's Auction catalogue so I can have hard copies of everything. I also have a friend who may have the original James Julia catalogue as well. 
I'll report back on these as they come in and scan/upload everything I find as well as thoughts on how well the images/descriptions match this rifle. 
  

Well, you don't need this any more, but here it is.

I was formally gifted this rifle, so I'm trying to figure out what it is and what to do with it!
I'm enjoying the history sleuthing project.

UPDATE:
I have ordered 2 magazines, the Wilson Book, and the Little John's Auction catalogue so I can have hard copies of everything. I also have a friend who may have the original James Julia catalogue as well. 

I'll report back on these as they come in and scan/upload everything I find as well as thoughts on how well the images/descriptions match this rifle.